Page 20 of A Not So Merry Kiss-mas
I chuckle and correct myself, “Michael is coming over later to help me decorate my Christmas tree.”
“He’s coming over tonight? You better make sure that I get a call with all the details.”
I roll my eyes and scoff.
“Don’t you roll your eyes at me! Make sure you call, or I will hunt you down.”
“I’ll call, I’ll call.” I raise a hand in surrender. “Geez.”
“A text will be fine, just make sure I get the details before my boyfriend. You know how competitive he can be.”
“Just him?”
Noelle snorts out a laugh. “Okay, fine. Me too.”
An image of Cole, Noelle, Michael, and me going on a double date runs through my head. Suddenly, I can’t wait to get to know him in all areas of his life.
“We knew the two of you would be perfect together. I’m really happy for you.”
“Thank you for making me meet him, Noe.”
“What are best friends for? Now go get some sleep so you don’t have bags under your eyes when you see him later.”
“You’re the worst!”
“I love you, too.”
“Bye, Noelle.” I yawn through a smile as I hang up the phone. Scooting down and resting my head on a throw pillow, the crackling from the TV lulls me to sleep.
Chapter Eleven
Mike
Carrying a box full of Christmas decorations, I make my way to Melanie’s apartment. I’m not sure if she’ll like what I picked up, but I didn’t want to ask her and ruin the surprise. I bought a bunch of different color balls, themes that match,just in case she’s a matching girl, along with a few that don’t. I grabbed a few strands of plain white and multi-colored twinkle lights, and three different tree toppers: a traditional star, an angel, and a big red bow.
There’s more than she’ll need, but I wanted to make sure she has options. Besides, whatever we don’t use, I’ll just bring over to the firehouse for when we decorate the tree tomorrow.
Christmas music plays faintly through Melanie’s door, but I stop moving when I hear a voice singing. It’s Melanie, and for a moment I’m frozen. I’ve never heard her sing; usually, I hear her angry voice, not this angelic one. But more than that, there’s a lightness to it that I’m not familiar with at all.
Granted, we’ve only started really getting to know each other recently; however, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been trying to figure her out since she first moved in.
I lift an elbow in an attempt to knock on the door, but it swings open before I get the chance.
“Hi,” Melanie beams at me, and my heart skips a beat before it pummels against my chest. She’s glowing, her eyes are sparkling, and her long, wavy hair is hanging loosely around her face. Pointing to the box, she steps aside and opens the door fully. “What did you bring?”
Meanwhile, I look like a fool with my elbow still in the air and my mouth hanging open. I swear she gets more beautiful every time I see her.
“Mike?” The corners of her mouth dip as I just stand there, staring at her. “Are you coming in?”
“Yeah.” I breathe in, attempting to slow my racing pulse. “Sorry.” Stepping across the threshold, I catch the virtual fireplace on TV, and a slanted grin crosses my lips. “Found one with Christmas music, I see.”
“I can’t stop watching! I love the instrumental ones. Hope that’s okay?” Her voice is hesitant as if she’s afraid I won’t behappy with her choice. One day, she’ll realize I like her exactly the way she is. I place the box on the floor near the tree and open it. Melanie’s eyes go wide, and a broad smile breaks out across her face before she drops to the floor and starts digging through the box.
“You brought ornaments? Mike, there are way too many! We’ll never use all of these.”
Getting on the floor next to her, I shrug. “I wasn’t sure what you like, so I picked out a wide variety. Whatever you don’t use, I’ll bring to the firehouse for the team to use there.” Her excitement is palpable, and the childlike wonder on her face makes all the effort I went through today worth it.
Her eyes soften, and my heart thumps. “Thank you.” She whispers, then surprises me by leaning in and pressing her lips to mine, before quickly placing all of her attention back on the box full of ornaments.
